SCOOP - above New Empire

Yesterday, I went to Scoop after a long time. Scoop is an ice cream parlour-cum-restaurant above the movie theatre called New Empire at Esplanade in Kolkata. It is an age-old joint, which has been a favourite among the people of Kolkata since time immemorial. The younger crowd loves it even more.

Scoop has been there for Kolkattans when Kolkata did not have Café Coffee Day, KFC, Barista, McDonalds, Dominos or other sophisticated outlets that today shine at the multi-storeyed malls.

I found Scoop renovated. The sitting arrangements and the color scheme have changed. Fluoroscent greens and pinks on the wall have made the place more youthful and bright.

During my father’s posting at Kolkata, I have had the opportunity of staying there for a couple of years. The restaurant that we frequented during those two years was Kwality located at Ballygunje Phnari.

We loved everything about that place. The décor and the ambience were lovely. As a child, I used to associate a special odour that the restaurant had with happy occasions like birthdays and anniversaries.

The food was lovelier. They served excellent quality Continental and Indian cuisine. Their menu boasted of a wide range of ice-creams and desserts.

The items I loved the most were Fried Prawns and Fried Fish with Chips.